Author Topic: Preferred Prairie Dog Set-up (Read 789 times)

Ken424 · « **on:** January 18, 2005, 01:17:20 AM »

With the Oklahoma Prairie dog shoot coming up, I will be buying a new Handi just for this occasion (as if I needed an excuse to buy another Handi, but it makes my wife feel better about the purchase). I am planning on getting a .223 Handi with the 22 inch heavy barrel or a .223 survivor model. Either one I get, I will be putting a Bushnell Banner 6-24 power scope.

What is your favorite prairie dog set up? Caliber, scope, etc. For those of you who are planning to attend the event, what guns are you bringing with you?

Thanks for the information.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2005, 01:55:59 AM »

I have one heck of a set up, but its not an H&R Rifle for the task..... :shock:

Nope, its a Remington 700 ADL in .223, bi-pod, blk sinthetic stock, 6x24x42mm scope Tasco Target Scope. This shoots groups at 100 yards that just made me smile.

But it is on the "FOR SALE" block for anyone wishing a bolt action rifle. They just don't trip the trigger for me like the Single Shot Rifles do.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:19:56 AM »

I like to have several rifles along to cover a variety of conditions. You could get by with just a 223 or a hornet, or even a 22lr, but I leave the 22s home anymore--they're marginal at best.

An accurate 22mag or a 17HMR works great for PDs out to 225 on calm days. It helps to have something quieter than the CF 22's to start off with.

For a medium-range gun a Handi in 22 Hornet is superb. I had one that I had rechambered to 218BEE that we used for several years until a friend talked me out of it.

Last you're gonna want something with a bit of reach; a 223 or 22-250 is what I use but a 243 or 6mm rem would do fine too.

I like to stick with the 22 caliber since the terminal effect is still visible through the scope. When you get into the bigger 22s and 6mm up that little bit of recoil causes me to lose my view of the impact.

For a scope buy the best you can afford.

jeff223 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:25:14 AM »

a few years back i went to S. Dakato for a twoday dog shoot and i went with two other guys that are big into it.i took a 22lr bolt rifle and a 223 handi rifle.now the other guys took their 22lr guns,two 223 custom built Remington rifles each and they also had two 22-250s each.i was thinking these guys were way out of it.they took more rifle than i even own

if the dogs are out good you will want to start off shooting them close with the rimfire guns and then work your way out with the bigger stuff.also if there is someone shooting the big boom stuff near you ,pack up and move away from them.the dogs get smart after a while and it might take a 22-250 or a 220 swift to reach them.if someone is there shooting a swift or the 22-250 you wont have much chance with the smaller 22 calliber guns.if you only take rimfire and a 223 you can still kill many dogs if you hunt them right.get away from the big boomers and have some fun

take a piece of carpet to lay your rifles on and your sand bags and other gear on.this will also keep your brass out of the dirt.you could even take a portable shooting bench with you.

now about all those rifles those guys took.when we went the dogs were out good and we did lots of shooting.when you do this the barrels get very hot on your rifle.that is where the others come into play.they would shoot one rifle for a spell then they would change to another one.with the hot loads of a 22-250 or a swift a person can trash a barrel in one day if they shoot it to long when its hot.

take lots of ammo and take your gun cleaning gear too.you will have fun for sure.you might even run into a guy or two that has 6 or 8 rifles with them. those guys are around :wink:

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:56:46 AM »

I only own one Handi, an old H&R .30-30 with full fore end that used to belong to my best friend. At his death I bought it. So I'll not be using handi's as a serious tool on this trip.

I'll have at least a couple of rimfires along. A bolt action .22LR for sure and either a .22 Magnum or .17 HRM to reach just a bit further. I'll have a bolt action in .223 for sure and likely another in either .243 or 6MM Remington or perhaps both along, all set up with scopes appropriate to their reach. Oh and for the real long range stuff I'll bring along an iron sighted FA83 revolver. :eek:

jeff223 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2005, 07:40:29 AM »

sounds like your ready for action GRAYBEARD :wink: those p dogs dont have a chance with you guys coming out there after them.i hope you all will get plenty of them

( dont forget some ear plugs or muffs.ear pertection is important)

Ken424 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:57:04 AM »

Although I do plan to get a new .223 for this event, I will also bring my NEF .17hmr and my Ruger .243. I am really looking forward to this prairie dog shoot.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2005, 01:09:31 PM »

Ok I got the gun line up nailed down a bit better. :eek: I picked up a Savage today with gray laminated stock (I'm a sucker for those gray laminated stocks - just can't pass one by) with SS metal chambered to .17 HRM. Got a Marlin 982 in .22 Magnum on the way. Also order a Rem. 700 VLS in .243 for the heavy. I'm still waiting to see if he can get me one of those new Rem. XR-100 rifles in .223 before I committ to the .223. Now I gotta call up Bushnell and get some scopes.